Lay off the on-field refs, they almost always get it right

The on-field match officials almost always get it right. That’s what they are paid to do, that’s what they are trained to do, and that’s what they pride themselves on.

The esprit de corps within the group is tangible, knowing that each individual performance is reflective of the strength of everyone else in the team.

This is why we need to lay off the on-field guys a little, especially in the commentary around the games across the weekend.

I couldn’t believe we had people in positions of influence in the media second-guessing the Adam Clydesdale try at Kogarah, or the Nene MacDonald try at CBUS Stadium.

There were two different reasons for the criticism. In the first case we had an ignorance of the laws of the hame that clouded the judgment of all except the person who matters most – referee Grant Atkins.

Thankfully we had some clear thinking out on the park, and the fact that Clydesdale was already over the line eliminated any doubt that he could not be penalised for a double movement. That didn’t stop all and sundry leaping into the man in the middle.

“Surely he’s already tackled there – if that was any other position in the park he’d be held?”

This was the commentary surrounding the decision.

However, even if Clydesdale had been short of the goal-line and fighting like a wounded goanna the way he did on Sunday he would still have been rewarded with a try.

If anyone laying into the referee cared to go to the laws and check Section 11 they would see:

If an attacking player in possession is brought down near the goal-line and the ball is not grounded it is permissible to place the ball over, or on, the line for a try. In this case, the tackle has not been completed.

We don’t need to open further correspondence into this matter; it was a try.

The second decision (the Nene MacDonald try) seemed to be a free hit for everyone to attack the referees again. This time is was about the process rather than the on-field officials.

The current method of determining a try or not is for the match officials to judge whether it was scored or not, and if they are uncertain for any reason they ask for it to be reviewed.

I have previously written about the video referee system, including how the imminent ‘bunker’ will speed things up, and how I would prefer it only be used when a decision is challenged by one of the teams involved.

However, we are stuck with this system at the moment and we are seeing people working within that framework.

Keep in mind that the average rugby league fan was totally sick of the perceived inaccuracies of the ‘benefit of the doubt’ and ‘ref’s call’ options that were available until the end of 2012.

It was changed so that the people with the best view gave their opinion and the video referee then had a starting point on which to review that judgment.

So the situation on Monday night was that the touch judge closest to the action, Jeff Younis, saw the ball grounded. That information was relayed to the referee.

There was enough doubt for them to refer it to the video refs and there was no angle that would provide sufficient evidence – not ‘conclusive’ evidence – to overrule the original decision.

From what I could see, there could have been one or two frames that may have proved the grounding but the ‘backpack’ camera angle from the near side touch line was obscured by Younis’ arm. If there was ever an argument for keeping touch judges out of weight-training rooms and off the bench press then you have just been presented with exhibit A.

As far as I am concerned the system worked – an informed judgment was made, a review was conducted, and the original decision stands.

Why would you want to go back to ‘ref’s call’ and ‘benefit of the doubt’ at the end of the video ref process? We still have a ‘ref’s call’ – he makes it right from the start!

Lay off them – they do a great job.

If you want to lay into anyone then give the video refs at the Souths versus Penrith game a whack for missing the world’s clearest potential eight-point try. I was told the replay came up too late for them to intervene, but I don’t buy that.

Lewis Brown should have been celebrating getting his team back into the match. Instead he was nursing a knock to the head worse than the one copped by Mick Fanning’s shark.

Oh, and one further note on the laws – they give clear instructions on signals such as Section 17.

Referee’s Signals – Signals indicating infringements
2. Forward Pass. Make a forward movement with the straight arm indicating the line of flight of the ball.

They are set out clearly so they are distinct and help the referee look in control.

So if you find yourself at Gosford and you’re so fast up the field after a line break that you’re in front of the ball when it’s passed (altering your perspective) and rule forward when it’s not, follow the laws’ signals and ‘sell’ it to the crowd that you got it right.

Use a straight arm and stand tall to tell the world you’ve got it right and you know it, instead of using two hands on the end of bent arms like you’re offering poisoned apples to Snow White.